Full Time, permanent position
With effect from September 2025
Salary: Outer London Main / Upper Pay Range
With additional TLR 2/3: £7,857 per annum
The Governors and Headteacher wish to appoint a dynamic and inspirational Head of Drama to join our incredibly successful team at The Hollyfield School. The Drama department has an excellent reputation and a history of excellence in examinations and performance. Hollyfield acknowledges the importance of the arts in developing young minds, and Drama is taught by specialists throughout Key Stage 3, and is offered at GCSE and A Level, where we have had a 100% pass rate since 2000.
The school offers a KS3 Performing Arts Scholarship programme, where one class in each year receives additional Music and Drama lessons, theatre visits and workshops. Our school’s theatre company, Ilex, has performed at The Lyric, Hammersmith, the Donmar Warehouse and at The National Theatre, as winners of the annual NT Connections festival. We also launched a KS3 theatre company in 2024: Ilex Juniors.
This role is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who is committed to inspiring and motivating students through their innovative and engaging teaching.
The Hollyfield School has an extensive CPD programme which offers regular training sessions to enhance teachers’ classroom practice, which are led by staff from within the school and the wider Multi Academy Trust. Hollyfield is a beautiful school with a thriving sixth form, in the Surbiton area of Outer London. Excellent transport links enable our staff and young people to take full advantage of the wealth of opportunities that London provides, including world class theatres and galleries. We are an ambitious school that puts student achievement and wellbeing at its heart.
In April 2020 we were judged by Ofsted to be ‘good’: ‘ School leaders are keen to ensure all pupils achieve their best. Pupils respond well to leaders’ high expectations. There is a distinct sense of community in the school. Pupils grow in confidence and learn to work together well as a result.’
The successful candidate will meet the following essential criteria:
● QTS;
● a broad base of subject knowledge;
● the ability to teach across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5;
● a clear vision for a knowledge-rich curriculum;
● the ability to employ a range of teaching and learning
● strategies;
● a commitment to extra-curricular programmes,
including Drama Club, theatre trips and Ilex Theatre productions;
● the ability to maintain good classroom behaviour;
● effective interpersonal skills and the desire to work
effectively as part of a team;
● ability to demonstrate suitability to work with children
and young people
The trust provides excellent subject-level support, CPD and Leadership CPD through several programmes externally and within the Trust.
This role is ideal for an individual who is committed to helping our students achieve their very best. We want the best people for our roles, so while this is primarily a full time post, we recognise that sometimes those best suited to roles on offer aren’t available full time. Please talk to us about the flexibility you may need.
For further details about The Hollyfield School please visit our website.
For an informal chat about the post please contact Sarah Neville (Head of Visual and Performing Arts) at: sneville@hollyfield.kingston.sch.uk
Please note:
● Job applications can only be made through the TES website. Please note we cannot accept CVs and our standard application form must be completed.
● We would encourage early applications as we reserve the right to appoint before the closing date, should a suitable candidate be found
● Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview.
If you do not hear back from us within a week of the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted this time.
The Governing and Trust Bodies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and expect all staff to share this commitment. We fully recognise our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, overseas criminal record checks where relevant, background check including an online check of the applicant’s social media accounts and receipt of satisfactory references. It is an offence to apply to work with children if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The schools within the Trust are committed to all aspects of personal development, are inclusive and seek to ensure every student achieves to the best of their ability.